Keychron K3 Pro vs S1Wireless Freedom vs All-Metal Build
Choose the K3 Pro for wireless flexibility and multi-device use, or the S1 for a dedicated, all-metal wired build.
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K3 Pro
Wireless Freedom
- Offers triple connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and wired USB-C.
- Includes a 1550mAh battery for cordless operation.
- Supports a wide range of layout standards including ANSI, ISO, and several regional ISO variants.
- Case construction uses a combination of aluminum and ABS plastic, not full metal.
- The plate material is plastic, which may offer a different typing feel compared to metal.
- Battery life depends on usage patterns and requires periodic charging.
Get the
Keychron S1
All-Metal Build
- Constructed with a full CNC machined aluminum body for a premium, solid feel.
- Includes a steel plate, which typically provides a firmer, more consistent typing response.
- Offers two adjustable typing angles (3° and 6°) for ergonomic positioning.
- Wired-only connectivity (USB-C), lacking Bluetooth or wireless options.
- Only available in an ANSI layout, limiting regional compatibility.
- Slightly heavier at 960g, though the difference is minimal.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you value the ability to move around wirelessly, switch between multiple devices, or use the keyboard with different computers, the Keychron K3 Pro is the logical pick. If you want a dedicated, premium keyboard for a single workstation where build material and a solid typing foundation are paramount, the all-metal Keychron S1 is the better investment. Both deliver excellent core performance for typing and gaming.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Keychron K3 Pro
Keychron S1
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Wired
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
Aluminum
Weight
525 g
960 g
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO, ISO-DE, ISO-ES, ISO-FR, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW, ISO-UK, JIS
ANSI
Plate material
Plastic
Steel
- Keychron K3 Pro
- Keychron S1
- Performance
- 8182
- Build quality
- 8182
- Productivity
- 8081
- Customizability
- 8889
- Portability
- 7765
- Layout size: 75%
- Hot-swappable
- Low profile
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
- Mount style: Plate Mount, Tray Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The K3 Pro is the clear choice for mobile and multi-device workflows, winning in Office, Travel, and Content Creation due to its wireless features. The S1 takes the lead for Modding, thanks to its all-metal construction. For stationary, performance-focused tasks like Gaming and Programming, the keyboards are evenly matched, sharing core specs like polling rate and programmability, leaving the decision to a preference for wireless freedom or metal build quality.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in wired mode for low latency.
- Both support N-key rollover for simultaneous key presses.
- The K3 Pro's wireless modes offer cable-free convenience, while the S1's all-metal build provides a stable, dedicated station.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K3 Pro
54 owner reviews
“For anyone buying this, remember to toggle the switch to the correct operating system. Other than that, the feel is good and it comes with a good feature set for a low price”
“I was happy at the beginning but after few months of use I'm getting more and more frustrated. Keyboard just hangs sometimes and I'm not able to connect with BT. I use it to operate two laptops and using Fn+1 anf Fn+2 combination is great... when it works…”
Keychron S1
12 owner reviews
“Got it today, hands on my first mechanical keyboard and feels so good. And a lot of difference in day-to-day way of typing.”
Keychron K3 Pro vs S1 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 25 specs differ
Keychron K3 Pro
Keychron S1
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Keychron K3 Pro vs S1: your questions
Both keyboards are fully compatible with macOS and Windows. The Keychron K3 Pro's vendor description specifically notes it offers a Mac layout with matching multimedia key functions and includes keycaps for both operating systems. The S1 also includes a system toggle and extra keycaps for both Mac and Windows.
No, both keyboards are designed for low-profile switches. The S1's product listing states it is compatible with low-profile, XDA, and DSA keycaps, which are relatively thin. The K3 Pro uses proprietary low-profile keycaps. Neither supports standard Cherry MX style keycaps.
Both keyboards are compatible with Gateron low-profile mechanical switches only, as confirmed by their respective vendor descriptions. They offer hot-swappable versions, allowing you to easily change between Gateron low-profile linear, tactile, or clicky switches without soldering.
Yes, the connectivity metadata for the K3 Pro lists 2.4 GHz wireless alongside Bluetooth and wired modes. This provides a low-latency wireless option in addition to Bluetooth for multi-device connectivity.
The S1 weighs 960g, while the K3 Pro weighs 930g. The 30g difference is minimal, and the S1's weight is attributed to its full CNC machined aluminum body and steel plate, which contribute to its solid feel.
They are equal in software customization. Both the Keychron K3 Pro and S1 support QMK and VIA firmware. This allows for extensive key remapping, macro creation, and lighting control through open-source software.
The Keychron S1 has two adjustable angle options: 3° and 6°. The Keychron K3 Pro offers three levels of adjustable typing angle, though the specific degrees are not listed in the provided specs.
The Keychron S1's specifications state its double-shot PBT keycaps are 'not shine-through'. The K3 Pro's keycap material is listed as ABS or PBT, and its vendor description mentions RGB backlights with various effects, but does not specify if the keycaps are shine-through.
Yes. When used in wired mode via USB-C, the Keychron K3 Pro has a 1000 Hz polling rate, which is identical to the S1 and suitable for competitive gaming where low latency is important.
The Keychron S1 uses a full CNC machined aluminum case and a steel plate. The Keychron K3 Pro uses an aluminum frame combined with ABS plastic and a plastic plate. This makes the S1's construction more uniformly metal and potentially more rigid.
Both can be configured for quiet use. Choosing a silent linear switch option (like Gateron Low-Profile Reds) on either hot-swappable board would be the primary factor for noise reduction. Their low-profile design inherently produces a different sound signature than standard-profile keyboards.
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